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Daily News
By Gail Helmer

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Tuesday October 16, 2001

PC News
New Screens: Comanche 4
Novalogic has sent us 6 new screenshots from the upcoming action shooter Comanche 4. Based on the U.S. Army's next generation armed reconnaissance helicopter - the RAH-66 by Boeing-Sikorsky. The helicopter's versatility in reconnaissance, ground attack and air combat roles will be emphasized in the game's all-new missions.Release Date: November 2001

Flight Simulator 2002 Ships
Microsoft has announced that their long-awaited title ,Flight Simulator 2002, is shipping this week. Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition was delayed due to the tragic events of September 11. It includes real-time, interactive ATC, stunning new auto-generated scenery and visual effects, cool new airplanes -- including a floatplane -- plus more activities to challenge and excite new virtual pilots and long-time enthusiasts. For a more detailed look, be sure to check out the official Flight Simulator 2002 site.

WWII Online V1.30 Released
Playnet.com and Cornered Rat Software has released the World War II Online patch version 1.30. There are quite a few changes in this build. Here’s a snippet from the README file:

  • Added Blenheim bomber
  • Added Bf110 fighter
  • Added new scoring paradigms for missions
  • New trooper sounds/commands
  • New trooper collider fixes
  • Reviewed and changed offroad truck performance figures
  • Added more cover over most of the terrain
  • Added some new CPs
  • Fixed a cause of the "false dawn" bug
  • Increased speed on all AT weapons
  • Revisited AI targeting of trucks
  • Fixed the "up right" view command
  • Added scoring output from database to Player Services
  • Optimized terrain loading, should reduce stutters
  • Optimized render routines, should improve frame rate
  • Altered the way kills were being tallied vs RTB/KIA codes
  • Altered the revlimiter behavior on the trucks/halftrack
  • Added wing bombs for the Stuka
  • Added bomb select system for bombers (use "cycle ammo"/backspace)
  • Added HQ channel (broadcasts facility captures


WW2OL 1.3.0 Game Manual
Playnet.com and Cornered Rat Software have also made available the WW2OL 1.3.0 Game Manual for download. Click here.

WWII Online 1.30 Screens, Video
Playnet.com and Cornered Rat Software have released new screenshots and video from the latest patch version 1.30. Screenshots Video

Operation Flashpoint Server News
Bohemia Interactive has fixed the Operation Flashpoint stand alone server 1.26, it is available for download. You need to install files from 1.26 beta patch first to can use the standalone server.

Operation Flashpoint Unofficial Flags Add-on
An unoffical flags add-on has been made available for Operation Flashpoint. For more details click here

New Screens Operation Flashpoint
Flashpoint Database has posted a couple of screenshots of the rotational grenade launcher sent in by Operation Flashpoint Producer, Mark Spanel.

Military News
U.S. Army Deploys Apache Longbows To South Korea
Arrival of U.S. Army Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopters here this month marks the first international deployment of an U.S. Army Apache Longbow combat battalion.

The next-generation Apache helicopters, produced by The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz., arrived in South Korea by ship. They were rapidly reassembled and then flown to a U.S. Army facility in South Korea, where they will be based.



The arrival also completed the official return of the Army Apache unit to Korea, where it had operated as an AH-64A Apache battalion in support of U.S. Army forces before the conversion to Apache Longbows began in 1999.

The U.S. Army is upgrading its AH-64A Apache fleet to the next-generation AH-64D Apache Longbow configuration. Boeing is remanufacturing the Army's Apache helicopters, which represent the most advanced combat helicopters fielded, at its Mesa rotorcraft facility.

Apache Longbow helicopters link a wide range of avionics, electronics and weapons into one fully integrated weapon system. The Apache Longbow is significantly more capable than the battle-proven AH-64A Apache, for years considered to be the world's best combat helicopter.

Next-generation Apaches continue to make their presence known around the globe through a growing customer base that includes Egypt, Japan, Singapore, Israel, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Several international competitions also are under way.

Lockheed Martin Awarded Training Contract For HIMARS
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has received a contract from the US Marine Corps to develop training for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) which the Corps is acquiring. The training will consists of cadre training, individual and collective training, maintenance and sustainment training.

HIMARS is a C-130 transportable, wheeled, indirect fire, rocket/missile system capable of firing all rockets and missiles in the current and future Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM). HIMARS addresses an identified, critical warfighting requirement in USMC fire support and provides 24 hour ground-based, responsive General Support/General Support Reinforcing/Reinforcing (GS/GSR/R) indirect fires, which accurately engage targets at, long range with high volumes of lethal fire. The system will extend the range of support provided to warfighting forces from 30 km to 60 km.



Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control developed and manufactured four operational HIMARS prototypes as part the Army's Rapid Force Projection Initiative Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration contract, which was awarded to the company in March 1996. Three of the wheeled vehicles (a platoon) are undergoing a user evaluation at the Army's XVIIIth Airborne Corps Artillery. Missiles and Fire Control is maintaining the fourth vehicle for testing and evaluation.

The HIMARS fire control system, electronics and communications units are interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1 launcher, and the crew and training are the same. Because of its size, HIMARS can be deployed into areas previously inaccessible to the larger aircraft required to transport the standard MLRS launcher.

BAE SYSTEMS Tactical IR Countermeasure Passes Crucial Tests
BAE SYSTEMS Tactical Aircraft Directable Infrared Countermeasure System (TADIRCM) has successfully completed key tests for the US Navy, including hostile missile detection and jamming of both Air-to-Air and Surface-to-Air missile seekers.

TADIRCM, an Advanced Technology Demonstration programme for the Naval Research Laboratory, is a low profile, laser-based IR countermeasure system. It will protect tactical and other fixed wing aircraft from surface-to-air and air-to air IR guided missiles. The system includes six two-colour IR staring sensors, a signal processor, a modulated IR laser and two compact pointer/trackers. The system detects and tracks incoming missiles, and then decisively jams them with its 'Agile Eye' jammer.

The captive seeker and static missile firing tests took place from September 21 to October 5 at the Naval Weapons Range at China Lake, California.

In every test, the TADIRCM successfully placed laser energy on the missile seekers. Completion of these tests was a prerequisite for live fire tests, which are scheduled to begin later this month.

"TADIRCM will overcome a critical vulnerability for jet fighters operating in hostile territory," said Paul Egbert, Infrared Technology Development Manager for BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Warfare Systems. "It will allow fighters to carry out their missions more effectively at lower altitudes, with greater protection for the aircraft and flight crew."


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